The Coward

Quest for Heroes, Book 1

By: Stephen Aryan

Narrated by: Matt Wycliffe

Length: 14 hrs and 50 mins

Publisher's summary

Kell Kressia is a legend, a celebrity, a hero. Aged just 17, he set out on an epic quest with a band of wizened fighters to slay the Ice Lich and save the world, but only he returned victorious. The Lich was dead, the ice receded, and the Five Kingdoms were safe.

Ten years have passed; Kell lives a quiet farmer's life, while stories about his heroism are told in every tavern across the length and breadth of the land. But now a new terror has arisen in the north. Beyond the frozen circle, north of the Frostrunner clans, something has taken up residence in the Lich's abandoned castle. And the ice is beginning to creep south once more.

For the second time, Kell is called upon to take up his famous sword, Slayer, and battle the forces of darkness. But he has a terrible secret that nobody knows. He s not a hero - he was just lucky. Everyone puts their faith in Kell the Legend, but he's a coward who has no intention of risking his life for anyone....

©2021 Stephen Aryan (P)2021 Angry Robot

Great Start to a new Series

Coward, the first book in a new series by Stephen Aryan gives a novel start to the "Heroic Quest" type story by beginning after the "Great Hero's Quest" has already taken place. Kel, having already lived through one quest to stop a great evil and still suffering the scars, both seen and unseen, from that journey is then forced to set out on a new journey to the North confronting old and new dangers with a new group of Heroes.

The story itself is entertaining if a bit familiar. Some of the challenges and enemies will remind you of different stories but that can happen with how many fantasy stories are in the world. I enjoyed the twist of a reluctant hero who had already done his part and was hesitant to return to a quest that killed 11 others and almost killed him the first time. The characters were mostly well written, and the journey itself was exciting with known and unknown dangers popping up throughout. Some twists were obvious, others less so, and aside from some production issues where the narrator said the same sentence twice in a row, I thoroughly enjoyed it. I am looking forward to the next book in the series and the continuation of Kel's journey.

Very Likable Characters

Well written relaxed story with just enough excitement to keep things interesting. Genuine caring among friends. Romance. Not much magic. Just religion and superstition. Battles are mainly with beasts of the wilderness. I liked the narration. It's a very enjoyable story.

Very Enjoyable

I thought the twist on the usual hero trope was well done. I will pick up the next book immediately.

Loved the Story

I thoroughly enjoyed this story, however the ultimate battle ended a little lackluster. The overall journey was more interesting than that battle but nevertheless the ending definitely will make me pick up the sequel!

narration

great performance and easy to get hooked. one of the first books to get me involved so quickly

Relatable Characters and a good story

The protagonist was relatable and the narration and story were compelling. Three more words

Great

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Pretty Good. Narration Is On Point

I really enjoyed this, but I struggle to determine if it was because of the Reading by Matt Wycliffe or a mixture of the Author and Matt's fantastic story telling abilities. This is a good and interesting story but I do strongly feel that if it had not been for Matt Wycliffe reading the book, I would have fallen off.

Thoroughly Enjoyed It!

The beginning took a bit to get rolling but I can say once this book took off, I didn't want it to end. I enjoyed the MC & the way the author gave him purity in integrity & knowledge. It allowed the previous story, which we only learned thru the MC, as he worked everything out in his head. He was no longer an eager young man wanting to be in the center of a great adventure. The MC learned, as in all adventures, the Hero's are actually jackasses & he actually was able to outlive the 11 other "Heroic Friends" while fighting off a very, very evil "Leach". Not "Liche", not a liche...

*It left me smiling at the end*
More to come I'm told too.

A real surprise

I’ve read a lot of R A Salvatore and some other swords and sorcery series… but this one is surprisingly fresh and different. I think the narrator is hugely responsible for this too as he feels like a perfect match for the main character.

I am extremely wary of “book 1” books in series especially when they’re just getting started in case the book is “unfinished” or split into multiples. I really hate that, Drew Hayes does it a lot.

This book is not like that. It can be written in a series but all ends are tied up. You will finish it satisfied. Give it a try.